Tag Archives: jeep concept

I remember, as a kid in the 70’s, looking at pictures of concept cars and feeling a sense of exhilaration at the oddly obvious wedge-shaped styling that seemed to dominate that era. While I’m not a fan of driving a car that so closely resembles a doorstop, I think these styling trends transferred into some really beautiful designs like the DeTomaso Pantera and the Lamborghini Countach, both of which had large images that adorned the walls of my bedroom for the better part of my youth.

Photo Credit: JeepForum.com

I then remember, as an adult in the mid-90’s, when an odd little Jeep concept vehicle made its inaugural appearance at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and the strong sense of disdain I felt for what was being presented to the masses as a possible design path for the Wrangler. We had just survived a generation of Jeeps that donned rectangular headlights in the Wrangler YJ and were inversely giddy with enthusiasm over the return of the iconic round headlights in the new Wrangler TJ. How had we come to this? Chrysler is going to boldly present this new concept to us and even be so daring as to name it “Icon”? As if having ‘Melrose Place’ on your TV at every turn was not punishment enough. We had somehow come to this…

The Jeep Icon was, from the outside and at a long distance, not far-removed from the venerable Wrangler and CJ’s of the past, with its federally-mandated 7-slot grill, round headlights and open roof design. It’s what lurked just beyond that first glance that seemed to cause the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. Chrysler Senior Designer Robert Lester declared that the inspiration for the ‘Icon’ was drawn from elements found in high-end mountain bikes. These words were not completely wasted on me as I was likely to be shopping for such a mountain bike in the near future, as an alternative to driving the new Icon. While the designers felt that adorning the vehicles body with gratuitous Jeep logos at every turn would be a reasonable penance for the rest of the Icon, it felt more like an attempt to remind you that this was an actual Jeep, a mission made even more important by the misplaced independent front suspension, industrialized car-like interior and wheels that were clearly repurposed from a Camaro RS. Maybe this could be a baby Grand Cherokee, but definitely NOT a Jeep.

Photo Credit: allpar.com

Despite the tepid response from the press and media, the Icon was still being heralded as the next generation in Jeep styling but with the added corporate spin of its intended purpose not-so-much-being a replacement for the Wrangler, but more a smaller platform to serve as direct competition for the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. As of 1998, there were patents filed for the Icon under the Jeep JJ platform and the likelihood of its making it to actual production seemed imminent. The Icon would feature four cylinder drivetrain borrowed from Chrysler cars and would find its segway into the American market as a Jeep for beginners and would be utilized, to a greater extent, in Third World markets. Approximately 60 vehicles were built as prototypes and were able to meet all of the quality and durability standards as mandated by Chrysler. The problem with the JJ Icon came when the vehicle was being tested for its “Trail Rated’ badge.

In order to proclaim the Jeep name, a certain amount of off-road prowess must be displayed. The JJ was limited to a fairly small diameter of tire due to its independent front suspension and limited body clearance. Although the Icon easily outperformed its small off-road market counterparts, it was unable to successfully negotiate the famed Rubicon Trail without the assistance of a tow rope which fostered serious concern over whether the JJ was a TRUE Jeep, a blemish that seemed to match the sentiment of the mass majority and the project was subsequently scrubbed. The 60 some-odd prototypes never left the confines of the assembly plant and were likely destroyed. Senior Designer of the Jeep Icon, Robert Laster, moved on to a lengthy stint at Ford Motor Company in 1998, where he aided in both interior and exterior design making significant contributions to the automotive realm with cars like the fabled Ford Figo and the Ford Ka (You can’t make stuff like this up) that are each icons in their own intended market places of China and South America. I can’t help but think that the original objective of the Jeep Icon may have been to lend Jeeps legendary off-road persona to a smaller fuel-efficient mode of transport that would largely appeal to an overseas market with the benefit of its greater capability, while not completely alienating the grass-roots customer base, who were likely left hoping for something more; many of the Jeep faithful would likely have been left with a dazed look, scratching their heads and wondering what just happened. The Icons compromising of its core values in an attempt to appeal to a broader audience was at the core of its undoing, which left me with a renewed faith in humanity and a reassurance that Jeep may have some reluctance to ever try and market a Jeep blessed with the spirit of a mountain bike. I’ll carry my ‘spirit of a mountain bike’ on a bike carrier on the back of my Jeep where it belongs, Thanks!

Photo Credit: CarblogIndia.com

Despite its demise, it’s easy to see that many of the design characteristics of the Icon concept have undoubtedly made it to production in platforms such as the Jeep Liberty and Compass/Patriot, and I, for one, feel much more excited about the future of Jeep based on the upcoming Wrangler JL and the handful of current concepts we’ve seen recently, like the Shortcut concept that made the rounds last year- Maybe even enough to hang some posters on my wall! OlllllllO

Well if you thought R. Lee Ermey in Full Metal Jacket was a bad you know what than you are quite mistaken. This customized Jeep from Starwood Motors is completely deck out for some rugged adventures. Power comes from Chrysler’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 that’s good for 285 hp, allowing for a 0-60 time of 8.4 seconds. And if your looking to be bullet proof than the suspension on here will do you good and the lift kit as well. The interior also features kevlar lining and a tucked away safe. The thing is just as comfortable driving the highway as it is the rocks and pits off-road adventures bring. But for us this car is for dreamers cause the price tag around 100,000 is pretty steep but oh we can dream right…?

Last year at the Beijing Auto Show the Dragon concept was introduced for the Jeep Wrangler and the response was so good that it will be available as a limited edition model in the U.S.

The special edition Jeep is a major nod to the Chinese culture. Chrysler said that the dragon symbolizes strength and power and is an “aspirational character normally associated with royalty.” Historians say that Chinese dragons are seen as benevolent creatures, not the monsters usually associated with Western fairy tales.

This is the most expensive model in the 2014 Wrangler line up starting at $37,090. The Wrangler is only available in black . The design includes a Dark Charcoal dragon decal that snakes along the hood and driver’s side of the vehicle. Other touches include a black spare tire cover with a dragon decal, 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels and Bronze Satin Gloss exterior trim.

The cabin gets a black-and-bronze theme with Satin Bronze dragon scales on parts of the interior, including the outer seat bolsters, center console armrest and steering wheel.

The 2014 Wrangler is equipped with the 285-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine.

Last September in Orlando, Jeep CEO Michael Manley, set Jeep forums and internet chat rooms ablaze by hinting that a Jeep pickup truck was in the future. No one knew what the tuck was or where it came from… Until now.

By hinting we mean, Manley concluded a speech to Jeep deal group by saying, ” “You never know what might show up in your showroom someday” and coolly exited the stage as the stunned audience glimpsed a yellow Jeep concept through sheer curtains.

Speculation was set aflame by the fact that no one got more a fleeting glance of the truck. There were no images of video footoage taken. Was it based on the Nukizer M715 Jeep released that year in Moab? Perhaps a take off of the J8 Egyptian Military Spec Jeep, the 2005 Gladiator Concept, or something new all together? The Jeep design team certainly didn’t know. They were busy sketching concepts of the redesigned Wrangler due out in 2012. The guys in charge of the Ram Truck division over a hearty, “Hell, no!” when asked about the possibility of production.

Automotive News and other news sites were quick to debunk the production of a Jeep based truck; calling it all hype. Ram certainly wasn’t happen about a the possibility of it’s sister brand cannibalizing their sales. Let’s face it Michael Manley never said the Jeep was headed for production when he walked off the stage. But what no one counted on was the fact that Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne was behind the idea.

The Jeep is none other than the 2005 Jeep Gladiator Concept with a new yellow job covering the original Armour Green. After crisscrossing the states for media blitzes and auto shows in 2005 the concept was retired to the Walter p. Chrysler Museum in Auburn Hills, Michigan. After disappearing from display for a few short weeks it is now sitting back behind the velvet rope sporting its new bright yellow paint.

The 2013 Gladiator will most likely be a cross between the 2005 concept and the Nukizer M715. It will be powered by the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, 280 horsepower (209 kW) at 6,400 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. (353 Nm) of torque at 4,800 rpm, that sits under the hood of the 2011 Grand Cherokee, and will power all Jeep Wrangler in 2012. The bed will be shortened to 5ft too add two more feet to the passenger compartment, but will use a tailgate extender (like the Ford Explorer Sport) to accommodate larger objects.

Like the current Wrangler the new Jeep truck will be built in Toledo and will sit atop a front Dana 30 and rear Dana 44 axles, and be mated with a new Fiat transmission. The word is the Jeep is consider using the Gladiator name or reviving the Scrambler moniker.

Did you like the look of the Lower Forty Jeep Concept, where Jeep reduced body roll by raising the fender for greater tire clearance?

The new All Terrain Flat Fender Flares from Rugged Ridge allow to run larger tires without lifting the vehicle or cutting the body, so you can add a bigger tire option for that true off-road look.

The ability to run a larger tire with little or no suspension lift means a “lower center of gravity” making you JK more stable, yet still gives you the ground clearance you need to head off-road. With 1.5″ less coverage in the front and 1″ less in the rear these flares are slightly narrower than factory, yet still maintain proper tire coverage and aggressive looks. Constructed of a flexible UV treated high impact thermoplastic, these flares are made for the trails. The flares attach to factory mounting locations and no drilling or cutting is required. The kit also includes an easy to install brackets that relocate the factory side marker lights.

Jeep Wrangler J7 :Built off of a four-door Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, the Jeep Wrangler J7 is designed to have the basic appeal of military-issued vehicles. The Mopar team removed standard content including carpet, fog lamps, alloy wheels and the stereo system before adding front and rear steel bumpers, ‘helicopter hooks’, a heavy-duty tailgate and steel wheels. Off-road capability is increased with a Mopar 2-inch suspension lift and 35-inch Mickey Thompson tires. The unique Mustard Plug exterior paint is highlighted with Jeep Wrangler J7 graphics.

You don’t have to be in Moab long to see the latest new parts, accessories, and concept vehicles!The guys at Mopar Underground (Chrysler’s Skunk Works equivalent) pulled the wraps off the first Jeep concept a few days early. The Nukizer 715 pays homage to the Vietnam era M-175.

The new war horse shares its under pinnings with the Egyptian J8 military vehicle and is powered by the same 2.8-liter four-cylinder turbo-diesel. It produces 158 HP and 295 lb-ft of torque mated to a five-speed auto tranny — giving it a towing capability of up to 7,716 lbs. It sits atop 38″ BF Goodrich MT’s and narrowed Dana 60 axles taken from the Dodge Ram parts bin. Other goodies include a chopped JK windshield, Warn winch, custom grille, lights and a long list of one off parts.